Clam-shell bucket.



H. L. ALLEN.

CLAM SHELL BUCKET. V

APPLICATION Hmm un 1v, 1907.A

Patented' June 15, 1909.

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H. L. ALLEN.

SLAM SHELL BUCKET. APPLIGATIQN FILED MAY 17, 1907.`

Patented June 15,1909.

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H. L. ALLEN.

GLAM'SHELL BUGKBT. APPLIcAnoN FILED un 17, 1907.;

925,262.. Patented June 15,1909.

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kUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY L. ALLEN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CLAN-SHELL BUCKET.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY L. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new` and useful Improvement 1n Clam Shelly Buckets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to provide a clam shell bucket which shall have the advantages of a wide reach when open and a powerful closing action. The mechanism is designed to give the scoops a path of travel which will allow them to efficiently gather up the load. To cause the scoops to better work their way through the material, I corrugate their bottoms and scallop the edges. All of these features are hereinafter more fully explained and their essential characteristics set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my bucket closed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bucket open. Fig. 3 is a plan partly sectional of the pivot shaft and guide sheaves loosely carried thereby. Fig. 4 is a cross section through the closing mech anism taken in a plane parallel with Figs. 1 and 2 and being on the line 4 4 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a cross section through closing mechanism along the shaft thereof being in a, plane at right angles to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 6 is an end view of the bucket closed. The remaining figures illustrating the corrugations and scallops of the scoops, Fig. 7 being an inner end view, Fig. 8 a longitudinal section and Fig. Q a plan of the two scoops.

Referring to the drawings, A and A are a pair of scoops. Secured to each scoop, near its rear end, is a shaft B. As shown, this shaft is mounted in ears a which are rigidly secured to the sides of the scoop and form a part thereof, or these ears may be integral with the scoop sides. Surrounding th shafts B, in a manner hereinafter explained, are members I-I, extending upward from which are arms O and O. These arms are pivoted together near their upper ends preferably by having a common pivot shaft D. From the hub of the arm O, in which the shaft is loosely journaled, extends a short arm c in approximately the opposite direction from the arm C, the arms C and c and their connecting hub thus constituting a lever. The arm C is located in a plane nearer the center of the bucket and the shaft is rig- Specieaton of Letters Patent.

Application led May 17,

Patented .Tune 15, 1909.

1907. Serial No. 374,289.

i idly secured to its upper end. On this shaft on the outer side of the arm c is a short arm c/ rigid with the shaft. Suitable keys may secure these arms C and c to the shaft. By this means the arm c is rigid with the arm C and forms in effect a continuation of the same beyond the pivot, similar in action to the lever C and c. Pivoted to the short arms c and c are links E and E respectively. The lower ends of these links are pivoted to the forward ends of the opposite scoops, as shown. i

Mounted on each of the shafts B is a drum F having a comparatively largeperipheral portion f, and a comparatively small peripheral portion j". Closing cables N are anchored to the periphery f and lead off of their under and inner sides and pass upward across guide sheaves J, journaled on short shafts P mounted in arms P which are loosely journaled on the pivot shaft D. Opening chains L are anchored to the smaller peripheries j" of the drums and pass off the upper and outer sides of said peripheries across guide rollers J which are also journaled on short shafts P. The guide rollers and sheaves being loosely held by their arms are adapted lto take Whatever position the direction of the cables and chains give them, according to the position of the scoops.

It will be seen from the above described construction that when the elevating cables Nv are drawn upward, the drums F are ro tated in one direction winding in the chains conversely, when the bucket is supported by the bar Q, which connects its chains, and the tension relaxed on the closing cables, the chains unwind and the cables are wound on the drums.

Each drum F is formed as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Besides its peripheral portions f and f it has an eccentric hub portion f2 of which two are shown, Journaled on each eccentric is the member H on which is formed an external gear 7L. Journaled on the hubs f4 of the drum beyond the eccentrics f2 are oscillatable members I having internal gear teeth t. These internal gear teeth surround external gear teeth h, and are such distance from them that the rotation of the eccentrics will shift the external gear to cause it to mesh with the internal gear at one point after another entirely around the circle. Frein this construction, it results that if the exi ternal gear be prevented from rotating, but 1 be given a circular translation or gyration under the influence of the rotating eccentric f2, the internal gear Well be moved by such gyration a distance corresponding to the dil'- l'erence between the number el' teeth on the internal gear and those on the external gear.

As heretofore stated, the member H is rigidly connected with the lower end ol' the arms C and C. ihese arms, being pivotcd together' by the shalt D, prevent rotation el' the members H, While allowing those members to gyrate under the operation olI the eccentrics. Connecting the tivo members l is a bar G shown as pivoted to cars t" formed on the members l, the members being thus allowed to oscillate and msh or pull on the bar` lflhen these members swing toward each other they shove on this bar G and thus swing outwardly the shafts B which separate the scoops, opening the bucket. alhcn the members l swing in the opposite direction they pull on the bar G and lorce the shafts B innfard, bringing the scoops together' to close the bucket.

T he opening action is caused by the Weight of the bucket .vhcn it is supported by the cross bar Q, the raising cables being released. 'Yhen so supported the bucket descends, and the drums are rotated by the chains winding oil", and this rotation shoves on the bar G, bj: reason ol' the eccentric gyrating the gear rr Within. the member' l. This swings out- Wardly the shalts E and opens the bucket. After the open bu iet has been droppcdinto its load, the elevating cables N are dravn upward, rotating the drums `n the opposite direction, which pulls upon the bar G, bringing the scoops together. This closing action is very powerful by reason ol' the gearing described.

It is to be understood that the levers and links referred to are duplicated on the opposite side of the machine. The gyrating mechanism is also shown as duplicated, as Well as the bar G. rihe two arms C and C may be connected respectively by cross-bolts C3 (Fig. l) and distance sleeves C4, (Fig. 6). T his construction makes a Well balanced, and, at the same time, sti'ong and lirm bucket.

The path the scoops take in closing is an advantage in causing them to dig through the load. rl`he buckets, when open, are separated very Wide, as shown in Fig. 2, and, as they close, the gyration ol' the member H causes the arms C and C to play up and down, raising and lowering the shalt l), the arms rocking on such pivot. Ply reason of the links E and E', this action gives the iront ends of the scoops short reciprocations in addition to their closing movement, causing the scoops to travel in a sort of wavy path through the material. This enables the bucket to scoop up its load better than il' it had a straight movement.

In order to increase the cutting action of the scoops through the material, l may provide projections on their' cutting edges, or make the surface which rubs against the load in such 'lorm as to gather it into ridges. Thus l may scallop the edges ol' the scoops, or corrugate the bott-oms, or both. ./is shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the bottom is corrugated at a, and the. bottom edge a2 scalloped. Fig. l shows the side odge c3 scalloped. Points are thus presented which easily work through the material 5 the load is more efectively scraped together, and the pile is lel't in better condition lor the next load.

l claim:

l. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination oi" scoops, a closing mechanism mounted on each scoop and including an internal and external gear, and means for gyrating one of said gears 2. ln a clam shell bucket, the combiimtion, with a pair of scoops, ot a rotatable drum, an eccentric connected with the drum, an external gear mounted on the eccentric, an internal gear with which the external gear may mesh, means for preventing the rotation of said external gear, and means for causing the rotation of the internal gear to open or close the bucket.

3. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination of a pair of scoops, shafts connected with the scoops respectively, a drum mounted on each shaft, an eccentric connected With the drum, a gyrating gear mounted on the eccentric, a rotatable gear with which the gyrating gear may mesh, and means connecting together the rotatable gear oi one mechanism with the corresponding gear oi the other.

4. ln a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair of scoops, a pair oi shafts mounted therein, a drum on each of said shafts, cables on said drums, an eccentric connected with the drum, an external gear on the eccentric, means for preventing the rotation of the external gear While allowing it to gyrate, an internal gear surrounding the external gear, and a bar connecting the internal gear' of one mechanism With the internal gear of the other.

5. ln a clam shell bucket, in combination, an internal and external gear mounted on the bucket, means for preventing the rotation oi one oi said gears and means for gyrating it, a pair of scoops, and means for opening and closing them caused by such gyration.

6. ln a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair of scoops, a p air ci closing mechanisms mounted thereon and bodily movable and including an internal and external gear, means tor preventing the rotation of the external gear While allowing its gyrations, means for gyrating it, and means connecting together the internal gears or' the two closing mechanisms.

7. In a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair of scoops, a pair of closing mechanisms comprising internal and external gears, a

pair ot pivoted members connected with one of said gears for preventing its rotation while allowing its gyration, means for gyrating such gez'u', and links connecting the scoops with such pivoted members.

8. ln a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair of scoops, closing mechanism mounted on each scoop and including internal and external gearing adapted to gyrate one with reference to the other, means for causing such gyration, and a pair of pivoted members secured to one et the gears to allow its gyration while preventing rotation.

9. .ln a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair orE scoops, closing mechanism mounted on each scoop and including internal and external gearing adapted to gyrate one with reference to the other, means Jror causing suoli gyration, a pair of pivoted members secured to one et the gears to allow its gyration while preventing rotation, a commen pivot shaft for said members, a frame in which said sha't is mounted, and cables for operating the closingmechanism guided by sheaves on said trame.

1U. in a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair or scoops, a bodily movable closing mechanism mounted on each scoop and including an internal and external gear and means for gyrating one of them, means for preventing rotation of one ot said gears abou its axis, and links Afor supporting the scoops.

1 l. ln clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair or scoops, a bodily movable closing mechanism mounted on each scoop and comprising an internal and external gear, an eccentric VFor gyrating one oiE them, a drum for rotating the eccentric, and a cable ttor rotating the drum.

12. in a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair of scoops, with closing mechanism Afor each scoop connected with the rear end thereo and comprising an internal and external gear and means 'for gyrating one of said gears, links connected with the `forward end of the scoops, and a cross connection between the closing mechanism oil the two scoops.

13. ln a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair of scoops aiid'means for closing them, and means for giving the cutting edge or" the bucket movement during the closing, addi tional to the regular closing movement.

14. ln a clam shell bucket, in combination, a pair of scoops having projections at their cutting edges, means tor closing the scoops, and means lor giving the cutting edges an irregula-1' movement during the closing.

15. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops, oi5 a closing mechanism therefor, including an internal and external gear, and means for gyrating one of said 1G. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops, of closing mechanism including an ii'iternal and external gear, an eccentric 'for vgyrating one of said gears, and

' means for driving said eccentric.

17. in a clam shell bucket, the combinan tion of scoops, a closing mechanism therefor` including an internal and external gear, means for preventing the rotation of one ol said gears, and means for gyrating such gear.

18. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination of a pair of scoops, an eccentric, an external gear mounted on the eccentric, an internal gear with which the external gear may mesh, means for preventing rotation et said external gear, and means for causing rotation oi the internal gear, to o pen or close the bucket.

19. In a clam shell bucket, in combination, an internal and external gear, means 'for preventing rotation of one of said gears, means vfor gyrating one of said gears, a pair of scoops and means actuated by such gyrating ior opening' or closing them.

20. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination, with the scoops, of closing mechanism including a pair of meshing gears, one having a diilerent number of teeth from the other, and means -for gyrating one of said gears.

21. In a clam shell bucket, the combination, with the scoops, of closing mechanism including a pair of meshing gears, one having a different number of teeth 'from the other, and an eccentric for gyrating one ol said gears.

22. In a clam shell bucket, the combination, of scoops, closing mechanism including pair of meshing gears having a dilerent number of teeth, and means for gyrating one of said gears, and means for preventing the rotation et one of said gears.

23. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination, of a pair o1 scoops, an eccentric, a gea' mounted on the eccentric, another gear meshing with the gear first mentioned, means 'lor preventing rotation of the gear on the eccentric, and means for causing the rotation of the other gear to open or close the bucket.

24. In a clam shell bucket, the combination, oi a pair of scoops, a bodily movable closing mechansim mounted on each scoop, each of such closing mechanisms including geared members, operating mechanism including a drum and a flexible member for moving one of the geared members, and mechanism connected with the last mentioned gear member to cause its movement to open or close the bucket.

25. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops, of gyrating closing mechanism mounted thereon.

26. In a clam shell bucket, the combination of scoops, a closing mechanism therefor including a pair oi cooperating members mounted on the scoops, means tor preventing the rotation ol" one of said members, and means igor gyrating such gear.

27. In a clam shell bucket, the combination of a pair of scoops, eccentrics, and gyrating mechanism movable with the scoops to open or close the bucket.

2S. In a clam shell bucket, the combination, with the scoops, of closingl mechanism movable therewith and including a pair of meshable gears, and means for gyrating one of said gears.

29. rIlle combination of a pair of scoops, an oscillatable member for each scoop connected with it, a rigid cross member connecting the two oscillatable members at points other than their centers of oscillation, and means for oscillating said members to shove or pull on the rigid member and thereby open or close the bucket.

30. The combination of a pair of scoops, a pair of bodily movable oscillatable members connected one with one scoop and one with the other, a cross bar connecting said oscillatable members, and means for oscillating said members to move the scoops toward or from each other.

31. In a clam shell bucket, the combination of a pair of scoops, members pivoted to the scoops near their rear ends, oscillatable members mounted concentrically with such pivots, a cross connection between the oscillatable member of one scoop and that ofv the other, and means for operatingI said members.

32. rlhe combination of a pair of scoops, an oscillatable member for each scoop connected with it, a pair of supporting links connected to the two scoops respectively, a cross bar connectingl the two oscillatable members at points other than the centers of oscillation, and means for oscillating' said members to shove or pull on the cross bar and thereby open or close the bucket.

33. In a clam shell bucket, the combination with a pair of scoops, of a pair of oscillatable closingl mechanisms mounted on the two scoops respectively, sheaves on the closingl mechanisms, flexible operating members ruiming onto said sheaves, and a stiff member connected to the two closing mechanisms at points other than their centers of oscillation.

34. rPhe combination of a pair of scoops, a lever arm connected at its lower end with the rear of a scoop, a shaft, said lever arm being' loosely journaled on said shaft and continuing beyond the shaft, and a link connecting' the end of the lever with the forward end of the opposite scoop.

35. rlhe combination of a shaft, two pairs of levers mounted. on said shaft and extend ing' diagonally downward, a pair of scoops each pivoted at its rear to one of said pairs of levers, two pairs of links connected at the up per end with extensions of said levers and at the lower end with the opposite scoop respectively.

36. In a clam shell bucket, the combination of a shaft, a lever journaled loosely thereon and having a downward and an u ward arm, a downward arm rigid with said shaft, an upward arm rigid with said shaft, a pair of scoops, each connected at its rear end with the lower ends of said downward arms, and a pair of links connecting the upper ends of said upward arms with the scoops.

37. The combination of a pair of scoops, a pair of closing` mechanisms mounted on the scoops respectively, members leading upward from the scoops, a common shaft on which such members from the two scoops are mounted, arms mounted on said shaft, guide sheaves carried by said arms, and flexible members guided by said sheaves for operating said closing mechanisms.

38. The ombination with a pair of scoops, of a pair o oscillatable closing mechanisms mounted on the scoops respectively, a cross bar connecting the closing mechanisms at points other than their centers of oscillation whereby said cross bar is adapted to be put in tension or compression as said members oscillate, members leading upward from the scoops, and mechanism above the scoops on which said members are pivoted.

39. In a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops and links, of oscillatable operating mechanism for the scoops respectively, each of said mechanisms being mounted at its center of oscillation on a scoop and a depending link, and a cross member connecting the two oscillatable mechanisms at points other than their centers of oscillation.

40. In a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops, of a pair of oscillatable mechanisms therefor having bodily movable points of support and a rigid member connecting said mechanisms at points other than their points of support.

41. In a clam shell bucket, the combination of a pair of scoops, a pair of closing mechanisms mounted on the scoops respectively, members leading upward. from the scoops, a common shaft by which such members are relatively hinged, two independent sets of arms loosely mounted on said shaft and projecting in opposite directions, two pairs of guide sheaves respectively carried by said sets of arms, and flexible operating' members running on the inner sides of said guide sheaves and connected with the closing mechanisms.

42. The combination of twopairs of levers hinged by a common shaft, a pair of scoops, each pivoted at its rear to one of said pairs of levers by means of a cross shaft, two closing mechanisms surrounding said cross shaft, two pairs of links connected at the upper ends with extensions of said levers, and at the lower ends with the opposite scoops respectively, flexible mechanism adapted to extend onto the closing mechanism and thereby support the bucket, and guide sheaves for said flexible mechanism carried by the shaft which hinges the levers.

a3. In a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops, of gyrating closing mechanism mounted thereon, levers connected therewith and hinged together, and links connecting the levers beyond the hinge axis with the opposite scoops respectively.

de. In a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops, of closing mechanism including an internal and external gear, an eccentric for gyrating one of said gears, a lever connected with one of said gears, and a link connecting said lever with the opposite scoop.

45. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination of scoops, closing mechanisms therefor each including a pair of cooperating members mounted on the respective scoop, pivoted levers for preventing the rotation of one of said members, means for gyrating one of said members, and links for further supporting the scoops.

46. ln a clam shell bucket, the combination, with the scoops, of closing mechanism movable therewith and including a pair of meshable gears, means for gyrating one of said gears, a lever connected to such gyratable gear, and a link connecting such lever with the opposite scoop.

47. ln a clam shell bucket, the combinalion, of a pair of scoops, an eccentric, a gear mounted on the eccentric, another gear meshing with the gear first mentioned, a lever connected with the gear on the eccentric, a shaft forming the pivot of said lever, flexible members for supporting the bucket and for causing the rotation of the other gear to open or close the bucket, and means carried by the shaft for guiding such flexible members.

4S. In a clam shell bucket, the combination, of a pair of scoops, a bodily movable closing mechanism mounted on each scoop, each of such closing mechanisms including geared members, operating mechanisms including a drum and a flexible member for moving one of the geared members, pivoted levers for preventing such members rotating on their axes, and a cross member connected with the other geared members to cause their movement. to open or close the bucket.

49. In a clam shell bucket, the combination with scoops, of two closing mechanisms each including an internal and external gear, an eccentric for gyrating one of said gears, a drum for driving said eccentric, and a flexible member supporting the bucket and rotating the drum, levers pivoted together' and connected with one of said gears of each scoop, and a cross bar connected to the other gears of the two scoops.

50. In a clam shell bucket, the combination of scoops, closing mechanisms therefor, each including an internal and external gear, a pair of levers for preventing the rotation of one of said gears in each mechanism, a common shaft forming the pivot of said levers, links connecting said levers with the opposite scoops, mechanism including flexible members for gyrating one gear in each closing mechanism, and means mounted on said shaft for guiding the flexible mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aliix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY L. ALLEN. litnesses:

ALBERT H. BATES, J. B. HULL. 

